The Bottom Line
The Ladies Who Lunch, #1
Sandy James
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever Yours
Date of Publication: May 6, 2014
Number of pages: 336
When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. Surviving a failed marriage and an illness that almost takes her life, high school teacher Mallory Hamilton needs the Ladies Who Lunch more than ever...
After a year of upheaval, Mallory has had her fill of change—with one exception. Her house is a disaster, and she wants it fixed. Hiring a contractor to finish the projects her ex-husband started will help her banish the past so she can return to the life she had before everything went awry. But her contractor is sexy, sweet, and single, which threatens the peaceful, solitary life Mallory has planned for herself.
Ben Carpenter has had a hard time raising his daughter without his ex-wife’s help. His new client’s projects will give him the extra income he needs, not to mention afternoons alone with a gorgeous woman. Though their attraction is undeniable, Ben sees the fear and pain hiding in Mallory’s beautiful eyes. But how can he help her if she won’t let him in? Ben can fix just about anything—but can he fix Mallory’s broken heart?
I was introduced to Sandy James with her paranormal romance Alliance of the Amazon Series. This was followed up by her historical western romance series, Safe Haven. Needless to say when I saw a contemporary romance, I just had to get it. I truly believe that Sandy James can do romance in any style.
The Ladies that Lunch are a group of 4 women teachers, 2 in their 30's and 2 in their 20's, who eat lunch together every day and have for several years. The women have become not only best friends, but a support network for one another. This is Mallory's story.
Mallory Hamilton has survived a tough year. First she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and if that wasn't bad enough, her husband left when the going got tough. She is currently cancer free and fighting hard to get her life back in order, starting with her house. Ex-hubby wasn't known for his follow through and has left the house in a state of disarray after years of DIY starts and stops. When a fellow teacher recommends Ben Carpenter as a contractor she can trust, Mallory meets with him to find out what will need to be done.
Ben Carpenter is a single father, struggling in a depressed economy to not only raise his tween-age daughter, but deal with the shenanigans of his crazy ex-wife. Working for Mallory after hours is the perfect way to supplement his income. The attraction between the two of them was instant, yet sweet.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I don't normally read books that I know will make me cry. However, with this book, watching Mallory fight to get her life back, and her Ladies who have her back, is such a beautiful thing it brings tears to my eyes. There is a scene where the Ladies show there love and support of Mallory, that just thinking about, brings a tear to my eye, even days later. This is such a book of hope and courage, you feel better just reading it. I loved this book, 5 stars all the way.
Thanks so much! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story!!!
ReplyDeleteYou keep writing awesome stories, and I will keep reading them. And then telling everyone about how awesome you are. :)
DeleteOh gah. Yes that scene where they all did that for/with her was lovely.
ReplyDeleteI know right! Still, STILL bringing a tear to my eye when I think about that scene.
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